The Nexus

So I'm going to Japan.

Yes, you read that right. I'm going to Japan.

But not anytime soon. I've decided to take a trip there, and starting with my next paycheck, I'm going to be saving the money. Now, there might be several things you could say to this proclamation. But I urge you to read on, because the real story is why I've decided to go:

First off, it's been brewing for a long time. I've always wanted to visit the far east. Partly because I've always found the culture fascinating there (part of the reason that I am taking Karate), and partly because I've always been a big nerd. Where else in the world other than Japan, do you celebrate the anniversary of a popular cartoon series by erecting a giant robot in the center of town?

Anyway, after years of seeing all the fascinating things that have come from the country, from the really amazing to the truly bizarre (I don't feel the need to link to any of those), I think it would be incredible to visit. And all the great things I've heard about the country from those have visited have only added to my desire.

But desire isn't everything, is it? I mean, I desire a bazillion dollars - that doesn't mean I'm going to get it. You have to have the will and the capability - which brings me to my second point:

Will. One of the great things I realized in college is that life doesn't come to you. It is the reason I have kept working on my book for five years, why I was able to drop about 50 pounds from high school, and why I'm taking martial arts now. If you really want something, if you want to experience life to the fullest, you have to FIND opportunities and seize them. This idea was recently reinforced by the spinning instructor Seth and I visit every Friday morning. She had just gotten back from France after watching the beginning of the Tour. I don't know if this was some long-held dream, or even if she organized it. That's not the point. The point is that she did, she had fun, and she didn't have any regrets (that I know of...it was France - apologies to my French friends; correction, minor apologies). So thus, if I want to go to Japan, I need to make it happen. Magical plane tickets are going to drop from the sky, and if they did, I would still need to get a hotel. Which brings me to my third point:

Money. As in, I now have a source for it. No longer am I living off my parents good graces (although admittedly, I'm still on their wireless plan). With a job and the proper motivation (say a trip to place I've always wanted to go), I have an incentive to tighten the belt a bit and save a little bit more. And now I won't feel guilty about spending the money (like I did when I went to Europe). There is a key difference between your appreciation for something when you pay for it yourself, through blood, sweat, or tears, and when someone just gives it to you. It can only enhance the enjoyment of the experience. And experience is key, especially when it comes to:

Language. Now you might say this is a deterrent, but for me, this only adds to the fire. You see, I've made a key realization. The language may be difficult, even insanely, absurdly so. But I relish challenges, and I don't like to fail at anything (nor does anyone, but most of my friends can attest to my, at times, hyper-competitiveness). But that wasn't the realization, I knew that before. My epiphany was that I despise French. Not the people, but the language. Why? Because after five years of study in high school, I still can't speak it fluently. Five years of not grasping the true culture of the language - because I wasn't interested, because I didn't connect with the teachers, because I never felt like I was improving or saw a reason to.

And I realized that at this point, I've failed to learn a language, in part, because now I am simply afraid of acknowledging that those five years were a failure. That I would have to confess that I, through my own stubbornness, I am unwilling to learn a language because I am afraid of failing at it, when I (not so modestly, I might add) am usually so good at things.

But now, I am once again presented with an opportunity: the chance to prove that I learned a language, or at the very least, that I gave it my all (which I cannot say for French). The chance to go to a country, a strange land, and be confident enough to, at the very least, survive (and not explode when I am unable to locate a bathroom!). Fortunately, for me, as is always the case when attempting any great challenge, I won't have to do it alone:

Janelle will be studying Japanese in college and studying abroad there (she's hell-bent on it). Apparently, she likes Japan even a tad more than I do, especially after visiting a few years ago. So, I will have my little sister (who will no doubt be an expert - no pressure, Janelle), to work and practice with over the next couple years (gives me an excuse to call her up and see how she is doing).

The final goal: to be moderately proficient in the language and visit Janelle when she studies abroad in two or three years. No need to be the best - just enough to feel comfortable. If I can order my meals, ask for directions, etc. on my own, without translator or tribulation, I will be happy.

Now you know why I go. The opportunity to create the experience of lifetime: through new knowledge, new adventure, and new memories.

And so, ladies and gentlemen,

I go to Japan.
Truly, my reason is grand:
Be a better man.